A new article from the Wall Street Journal titled "Florida Proposal Ruffles Builders" takes a closer look a new proposed legislation that would include voters in the decisions for land use, and the real estate community's reaction. Amendment 4, called "Hometown Democracy" by its supporters, would let the voters have a say on approving changes to a city's or county's comprehensive land use plan. Opponents say this would lead to gridlock at the polls and put a damper on plans by businesses to expand or relocate to Florida.
"Basically, the builders, together with the local commissions here, drove Florida over the cliff with reckless speculation," said Lesley Blackner, a Palm Beach-based environmental lawyer leading the drive. "What Amendment 4 does is give voters the check and balance" instead of "politicians who want to rubber stamp every development that comes their way."
"Even democrats are staying a fair distance away from it. It's gotten too much of an anti-business, anti-growth aspect to it,"said Florida pollster Tom Eldon. "It was a great idea when the economy was booming, but now that the economy is bad it's not safe ground."
"When you're no longer attracting business, the tax burden falls onto residents at a much higher rate," said Ryan Houck, who leads Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, a political-action committee opposing the measure. "Businesses that might seek to come to Florida would find it incredibly difficult, costly, and uncertain. It would chase away business at a time when the state is hurting for tax revenue."
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